Earth Week

Last week, due to Monday being Earth Day, we had Earth week at our house. In spite of my efforts to have everything being actually about Earth Day I had to adjust because all the Earth Day books were checked out of the library.
That just meant we had to spend time outside. You can't get more "earthy" than that!

 Books:
 Bumble Bee by Margaret Wise Brown
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
Biscuit's First Beach Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Blue Sky by Audrey Wood
Beautiful Bananas by Elizabeth Laird
Sitting on the Farm by Bob King

Crafts:
All 3 girls got involved in our craft this week!
We made caterpillars out of egg cartons. (Keeping it green!)

                                                            Haddie's caterpillar

                                                            Juliet getting involved

                                                      Maddison making her caterpillar
Actvities:
We planted flowers in pots for our front yard and peppers, cucumber, peas, zucchini, tomatoes and beans in our garden.
Haddie loves to try and touch birds. She discovered a momma bird's nest in our back yard with a very large baby bird in it. The odd thing is the baby wanted to follow us all over the yard. It was pretty cute!

Little School on the Plantation

It's the end of an uneventful week due to illness so I'm taking it easy.
 Since it is Friday I wanted to address the questions I've gotten about our little weekly homeschooling ventures.

Every week I choose a theme for learning. It usually has to do with something relevant going on that week. Example: Circus week because the circus was here or nature week because Earth Day was this Monday.This format has worked well for us and the girls really enjoy the schedule I have made for them. Oh yeah, it keeps me sane too!
On  Mondays we go to the library for storytime. It lasts about 45 minutes and the kids get to dance, sing, and play as well have have circle storytime. This activity is free and they have a couple of friends there that they play with in the kid's resource center afterwards. At home we do arts and crafts, and reading.

Tuesdays we try to go on a "field trip" based on the weekly theme. Now that the weather is nicer we will be able to go to the zoo, botanical gardens as well as museums and parks. At home we learn sign language and read.
The middle of the week is super special because it's music dayon Wednesdays. We go to a Music Together class and have SO much fun! It lasts about 45 minutes aand the girls have another group of friends there ranging in ages from 6 months to 2 years (just like them). By the time we get out of there it's time for lunch. Yummy! At home we take it easy for the rest of the day. We like to go outside and play but music class is the highlight on this day.
Thursdays are at home days. We learn sign language, dance, do arts and crafts and read.
And finally, Friday is play day! Sometimes we have playdate parties and invite lots of our friends for food and fun. And sometimes we meet up with just one friend to play. Playing is a fantastic way for kids to learn and most important at this age.

We've enjoyed this weekly schedule for almost 5 months and it seems to be perfect for us. In the future I would like to add in some basic Spanish and a little Geography.

Natural Home: Life is Getting Greener

Since the birth of my 2nd daughter 2 years ago I have been doing all I can to make our home more natural and safe. In that very short period of time I have changed several things that I feel has made our home greener, healthier and much more welcoming.
The ironic thing is that it has been like turning back the clock. None of the things I have done to make the changes is new. In fact, they are all things that our great and great great grandparents may have done before the commercialization of our world.

1. Cloth Diapering

My stash of newborn gdiapers

I remember changing my little brother's diapers; the plastic pants, the pins, the MESS! Disposable just seemed to be the easier way to go when I had my first child 20 years ago. But now, I want something more cost effective and natural for my babies. Have you seen what they put in disposable diapers? Yuck!
There are TONS to choose from but we have found that gdiapers, flips and diaper rite diapers are best for us.
www.gdiapers.com  www.diaperjunction.com

2. Breastfeeding
What could be more natural than that? It's good for mom and baby.
If you are thinking about nursing your baby but have any doubts you can find a lactation consultant in your area or, as I did, find a friend who has experience. La Leche League also has a lot of good info on their website.
www.llli.org

3. Gardening

My raised garden made from pallets

There is nothing more delicious than a home grown, REAL tomato. Seasonal fruits, veggies and herbs grown in your own garden will not only save you money but ensure that you are getting good, quality ingredients without GMOs or pesticides.
Along with that, gardening is good exercise and a great learning tool for children and grown ups alike!
Here's a link to a cute blog on spiritual lessons learned from gardening:  http://notquiteamishliving.com/2013/04/10-spiritual-lessons-from-gardening/

4. Cleaning Supplies
No more choking on toxic fumes as I sprawl myself across the tub. No way! I did away with all those chemical based cleaners and replaced them with natural alternatives that do just as well if not better.
Windows and mirrors can be cleaned with vinegar. It's also a good stain remover and air freshener. The next time you peel that orange for a snack add the peel to a spray bottle with water and vinegar and enjoy that wonderful, and most importantly, natural air freshener! Don't forget to OTW- open the window, instead of spraying those commercial air fresheners.
Baking soda or borax can be used for those big cleaning jobs like the tub and floors.

5. Laundry Detergent     

              
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
1 bar of Fels Naptha
If you need a natural fabric softener, once again, use vinegar!

6. Cloth "Paper" Products

Awesome cloth napkins

This is the first year I have even considered this. Cloth napkins, baby wipes, dish cloths and paper towels.
I used a cotton fabric with a delicious print that I loved for my napkins and they came out gorgeous! Now we get all fancy schmancy every night and use cloth napkins. Make sure you make enough to last your family 'til laundry day. The dish cloths I crocheted out of 100% cotton yarn. Just use a regular chain stitch and you can get quite a few cloths out of one skein of yarn. I also use them for pot holders and to hot pad for the tea pot. And the paper towels I made from terry cloth. Very Easy.
All of these things can be made from matching fabrics or you can save even more money by using remnants.
For the baby wipes I just use old washcloths. I use an old wipe holder with a bit of soapy warm water and add the cloths as needed.

7. Thrifting, Craigslist, Freecycle and Hand Me Downs
Come on, you know there's really nothing wrong with poppin' tags! The thrift store s a great place to find some wonderful things you need. Right now we have a fantastic entertainment center we scored for $18 waiting to be repurposed into a play kitchen for my little ones.
I can't say enough about Craigslist! We have gotten our house, a dog, dog crate, supplies for the girls and so much more.
Freecycle is a site where people in your community post things they are getting rid of. Much like Craigslist but it's FREE! You just have to go pick it up. We've gotten quite a few items this way as well.
And, of course, hand me downs from friends, family, and neighbors are always Eco friendly!

8. Sewing
I must admit that I have always said "I don't sew!" But lately I have gotten sewing fever!
I sewed the cloth napkins, paper towels, curtains and now I have moved on to clothes for the girls.
First up... pillowcase dresses. How great is that? Got an old pilllowcase? Make a dress!
After those I'll be making skirts and shorts from remnants. I love it! Saving money and taking pride in what I have created.

9. The No Poo Challenge
I just heard of this a couple months ago and decided to try it. Baking soda for shampoo, apple cider vinegar for conditioner instead of chemical based commercial products.
I lasted 2 months before I just had to switch back. Personal preference I suppose. Sometimes you just have to make peace with your decisions but the challenge was a good thing and I will be doing the process every 6 months to rid my hair and scalp of toxins.

10. The Clothesline

My husband did a great job!

I'm convinced that this is one of the best inventions ever. I have wanted one ever since we moved into our house a year ago. Finally, a couple weeks ago, my husband gave in and built me a wonderful, inexpensive clothesline. I wonder how much money we will save letting the sun an fresh air dry our clothes?

Do you have any ways you and your family are going green?  Leave a comment below and let me know!

Getting Back to Work

I am now the mother of an engaged 19 1/2 year old, a free spirited 2 year old and 6 month old little princess. For some reason that means it's time to start working out again.

Back in the day

At the beginning of the year I started taking bellydance choreography classes at Hipnotic World Fitness Center. It has been great to get back and shimmy but momma needs to build some muscle and stamina to chase these girls around! So, I added Hapkido martial arts classes twice a week.

The kicker to this is that my husband is my instructor. By the second week I had bruises all over my arms, had pulled a muscle in my leg, jumped more than any person who just had two babies and is about to turn 40 should ever have to and faced my fear of doing a somersault. I'm not sure why I was afraid of doing something I have done millions of times. But somehow I was fine with the idea of a cart wheel and terrified of a forward roll. Who knows?

Another thing about Hapkido is I had to spar with my future son-in-law. AKWARD!!!

3 weeks in to Hapkido and I think I know what I want to get out of it. Plus, I can feel my triceps starting to come back. Muscle recall is a wonderful thing!

                                             Keep checking back to see my progress ;-)

Circus Week

Last week we enjoyed Circus week!
What a wondrous thing to see my girls eyes light up. And what a great field trip we had yesterday to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Just magical!

Books:
Moses Goes to the Circus by Isaac Millman includes sign language. Bonus!
Little Monkey Says Goodnight by Ann Whitford Paul
You See a Circus, I See by Mike Downs

Videos:
The Wiggles- Hot Poppin Popcorn
Mr Rogers- A Day at the Circus
Baby Road Trip- Circus

 Mr. Rogers reminded me that it's okay to have your mom or dad take you outside if there is something in the circus I don't like.     

Art Wall Circus

with evil clown and all :(

My daughter Maddison and her fiance, Michael at the circus!

 

I've got to say that this is the best week of our little "homeschool" yet!

 

 

Making the Bed and Other Non-Sense

Last week was Spring Break and a lot of us, including myself, were sick. So I have nothing to write about that. Instead I thought I would have some fun and share some things that just don't make sense to me. Enjoy!

#1 Making the bed
I know a lot of people find it important to make the bed. I just don't get it!
My mom never made me make my bed when I was growing up. What's the point when you are just going to get back in it in a few hours? It's not like your bed has to be made for you to sleep in it. And as far as cleanliness and appearances go, only the special few should see your "bed chambers" anyway. So what the big?
These days there are kids that mess the sheets up while I try to make the bed so, I ask you...
What's the point?

No more monkeys jumpin' on the bed!

#2 Going by your middle name
So is your first name just not good enough? I mean, your parents gave that name for a reason. And if the parent is the one who started calling the child by their middle name that's just crazy. Why didn't they just name them that name in the first place. It's so confusing.

#3 Charts and Sizes
As soon as we are born we are compared to all the other babies in the nation. Is that really necessary? You can't compare the child of 2 people over six feet tall to one that was born premature to a couple of portly smokers!

When my oldest child, Maddison, was a child the doctors told me she would never reach 4 feet tall. I was devastated! All of this because she was a teeny little girl being compared to everyone else. I assure you, at 19 years old Maddison is short, but she reached 5 feet tall a while ago.

If that isn't enough, they have other charts to tell you when you are healthy based on your height and weight. Really? Skinny does not equal healthy and curves do not mean you are unhealthy. For that matter, the scale does not know the the shape your organs are in.

#4 Last names
                                        GRIER
I chose beautiful names for my daughters and one day they will be expected to change them. This has always bothered me. If a name is so important for a man would it not be equally important for a woman? Why should my girls lose the name they were given and have had all their lives? To show they belong to someone else? Ew! They belong to God.

And for that matter, why doesn't the husband change his name to his wife's? Oh, that's too imasculating? Boo hoo. Everyone keep your birth name. We will survive.

Down on the Farm: Our Easter Adventure

Last year my mom decided it was time to leave the rat race and go for her dream of living in the country. While I was happy for her, I was sad because it was the first time my mom had ever left me. Sure, I have moved all over the East coast, from Florida to Maine, but I have always left her. Never the other way around.
In spite of wanting to visit her in the first year of her living there I could not. I was pregnant, taking care of a baby and just didn't see how I could achieve such a feat. But with the birth of my Juliet and the changing of the year I was not about to let any more time go by without visiting my mother's new home.
 We decided that Easter would be the perfect time to go and we could celebrate Haddie's birthday there as well. So last week we packed up the "Fresh Beat Van" and took off to Tennessee! Yeehaw!
We left Thursday evening after my husband got off of work. Unfortunately, we couldn't just set our course straight for the farm. We had to go out of our way to pick up my stepson. And on top of adding that time to our trip they were an hour late due to traffic.
We didn't get to my mom's house until 4:30 AM but we made it... 10 year old, almost 2 year old and 5 month old, whew!

Day 1
We got up and my mom, lovingly known as Bubba, made breakfast. Then we headed down to the pasture to meet and feed the horses, Otis and Bella, and the chickens.
Afterwards we roamed the land and played outside. It was so nice to be in the fresh air, hear the birds and the stream. It was so peaceful I wanted to cry. I felt like that was where I belonged.

Day 2- My Haddie's Birthday
Everyone got up and the animals got fed. Then we all piled into the van and headed to Tractor Supply for their monthly animal swap. The kids had a great time seeing all the chicks, chickens, goats, roosters and rabbits. I had a little culture shock moment watching this guy pick his banjo on the tailgate of his truck. He sat next to his pen of goats, just as happy as you please.
After seeing all the animals we went to the "famous" Randall's where Louise served up a hearty breakfast. The best part was the grits. The were perfect.
That means they tasted just like Grandpa's!
When we got back to the farm we spent more time outside. I enjoyed sitting on the porch with my mom and the baby watching everyone fly kites. It was very much like when I was little and it felt right.

Day 3 Easter Sunday

I got up early to go see what the horses, Otis and Bella, were doing.

It was raining so no going outside and running around :( We stayed inside, ate, relaxed and watched TV.

Day 4

We were back on the road. We made good time and the little ones did very well. We got to see all the beautiful country we missed on the way there. Driving in the daytime was much prettier!

A great vacation was had by all.

Hope was restored that the ways and feelings of my childhood could be again.

The cow says, "MOOOOOOO!"

 

Birthdays and Easter!

Last week our themes were birthdays an Easter.
My daughter Haddie turned 2 years old on Staurday so we partied a lot. And we learned a few things about birthdays!
Party #1 was Fresh Beat Band with friends.

Friends Becca and Little Carl play with Juliet

Getting our grub on

Party #2 was Fresh Beat Band with family.

Learning tools were as follows...
Books:
Happy Birthday to You by Dr. Suess and Biscuit's Pet and Play Easter by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
DVD:
Curious George Goes to a Birthday Party

My oldest daughter, Maddison and I also made a little nook area for my stepson when he comes to visit. We sewed some awesome curtains and rearranged the foyer to llok like a bedroom so the little girls can now have their own room (no boys allowed).

It was a short week for us because we left Thursday evening to spend the holiday weekend on my mom's farm in Tennessee. That's a whole blog post in itself!